Toll-charging system



Aug.A 25, 1925.

L.. H. .JOHNSQN TOLL CHARGING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 5, 1925 l! rf Patented ug. Z5, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS H. JOHNSON, OF MADISON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN-ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TOLL-CHARG-ING SYSTEM.

Application filed September 5, 1923. Serial No. 661,031.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Lnwrs H. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Madison, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toll- Charging Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXact description.

This invention relates to telephone eX change systems and more particularly to control circuits for toll devices employed in such systems.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved charging system in which successive charges are made under the control of ay timing device.

A feature of this invention is a register controlling circuit arranged to permit the register to operate and charge the calling subscriber when the called subscriber an swers and thereafter to operate the message register at fixed intervals of time to periodically charge the calling subscriber during the length of the conversation.

Another feature of this invention is a register controlling device so arranged as to prevent the called party from defrauding an operating telephone company by momentarily hanging up his receiver when the time covered by the first charge is almost expired, thereby causing the register controlling device to return to normal and to begin to again count oif time without having operated the register a second time. This would permit the calling subscriber to obtain additional time Without charge. It is obvious that under such a condition a dishonest person could, when called, by repeatedly hanging up the receiver momentarily at the proper time, carry on a'conversation indefinitely without causing the calling subscriber to be charged for more than the first chargeable period.

A further feature of this invention is an arrangement whereby a timing device associated with a calling subscribers message register may be returned to normal only through the abandonment of the connection by the calling subscriber.

A still further feature of the invention is a circuit arrangement whereby if only the called subscriber hangs up, the time registering device ceases to count time and remains stationary until either the calling party hangs up, whereupon the time registering device returns to normal, or until the called party again picks up his receiver, whereupon the time registering device resumes counting off time. The effect of this feature is that, the calling subscriber will not be charged for such time, as, the called subscribers receiver is on the hook.

The accompanying drawing shows diagrammatically a portion of a line finder and district selector switch circuit in which the principles of this invention are incorporated.

In brief, the operation of the charging system is as follows: Then the called subscriber answers, a polarized relay 6 of the district selector is operated and completes a circuit for energizing a charge relay 9. The charge relay, when operated, prepares a circuit for a relay 19 in the message register control circuit, which energizes upon the completion of its circuit through a Contact of interrupter 28. Relay 19 in turn coinpletes a circuit for operating the message register, and prepares a circuit for the operation of relay 21. Relay 21 energizes upon the completion of its circuit at the alternate contact of interrupter 28. Relay 21 opens the circuit of the message register and prepares a circuit for timing relay 43. The timing relay is operated at fixed intervals under the control of interruptor 26. After a iiXed number of intervals of time have been counted off, the timing relay causes the control relays 19 and 21 to be deenergized, which in turn deenergizes the timing relay. The message register is again actuated over the circuit previously described and the controlv circuit again functions to count off additional time.

The invention may be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing.

The line iinder switch represented in this system is of the well known power driven panel type such as shown and described in the patent to McQuarrie 1,177,044, issued March 28, 1916. It will be obvious, after reading the description of the invention, that the invention can as readily be used in a system using line switches.

The district selector switch, a portion of which is shown, is of the well known power driven panel type and s similar in construction to the district selector switch shown in the patent to Stearn and Scudder 1,395,977, issued November 1, 1921. Associated with the district selector switch circuit is a message register controlling circuit embodying the principles of this invention. The message register controlling circuit comprises a number of control relays, a timing relay, and an interrupter circuit for controlling the operation of the timing relay.

IVhen the calling subscriber initiates a call, the line finder switch is connected to the calling line in a manner well known in the art. The line finder switch is permanently connected to a district selector switch. A sequence switch 100 which is associated with the district switch is caused to move out of normal position 1 into position 2 and subsequently from position to position described in the patent to F. S. Irvine, Patent No. 1,461,528, issued July 10, 1923. In position 2 of the district selector sequence switch 100, a registering sender, (not shown) is associated with the calling subscribers line in a manner well known in the art.

The district selector switch and subsequent `switches in the selective train are then positioned under the control of the sender, as described in detail in Patent No. 1,395,977, issued November 1, 1921, before mentioned.

In position 9 of sequence switch 100 relay 2 is energized in a circuit from grounded battery, left hand winding of relay 2 sequence switch cam 3, to ground in the sender (not shown). IVhen sequence switch 100 reaches position 9% a circuit is completed from grounded battery, lower left winding of repeating coil 15 through` relay 1, through the sequence switch cam 30, a line finder switch brush and contact, then over lead 41, through the calling subscribers station, lead 40, line finder switch brush and Contact, sequence switch cam 29, upper left winding of repeating coil 15 to ground. Relay 1 is energized in this circuit and attracts its armature to complete a second circuit for relay 2. Due to the fact that relay 2 was energized in position 9 and is a slow releasing relay, when the initial circuit for relay 2 opens upon sequence switch 100 moving out of position 9, this relay remains operated a sulicient length of time to permit relay 1 to operate and complete a holding` circuit for relay 2. This circuit may be traced from grounded battery, through fthe right hand winding of relay 2, right armature and front contact of relay 1 the right armature and contact of relay 2, sequence switch cam 51 to ground. In position 11 of the district selector sequence switch 100 the called subscriber is signalled, the sequence switch remaining in this position `hroughout the conversation.

When the subscriber answers reverse current is sent back through the winding of polarized relay 6 in a manner described in said patent to Stearn and Scudder. Polarized relay 6 energizes and through its armature and front contact completes a circuit for energizing relay 7. This circuit may be traced from ground on sequence cam, 13, armature and front contact of polarized relay 6, left hand contacts of sequence switch cam 12, through the winding of relay 7, through closed contact 10 of interrupter 8, to grounded battery. Relay 7 operates and completes a locking circuit for itself from grounded battery, through its right hand armature and contact and winding, left hand contacts of sequence switch cam 12, front contact and armature of polarized relay 6, to ground through contacts of cam 13. As soon as contact 11 of interrupter 8 closes, a circuit for operating relay 9 is completed from grounded battery, through the winding of relay 9, front contact and outer right hand armature of relay 7, to ground through closed contact 11 of interrupter 8. Relay 9 operates and completes a locking circuit for itself from grounded battery, through its winding, left hand contacts of sequence switch cam 14, right hand armature and front contact of relay 9, to ground.

At the time relay 2 operated, it completed a circuit for energizing relay 4 from grounded battery 50 in the line finder, the front contact and left hand armature of relay 2, upper contact of sequence switch cam 5 to ground through the winding of relay 4.

Relay 2 also prepares a circuit for energizing relay 19. Relay 4 operated, completed a circuit for energizing relay 17 from grounded battery, armature and front contact of relay 4, line finder switch brush contact, through the winding of relay 17 to ground. Relay 17 operates and opens the circuit relay 16, whereupon relay 16 deenergizes.

lith relays 2 and 9 operated, upon the closure of contact 37 of interrupter 28, relay 19 is energized in a circuit that may be traced from grounded battery 50 in the line linder circuit front contact and left hand armature of relay 2, upper and lower left hand contacts of sequence switch cam 5, front contact and left hand armature of relay 9, winding of relay 19, the back contact and left hand armature of relay 22, to ground through contact 37 of interrupter 28. Relay 19 operates and completes a circuit for operating the message register' magnet 18, from grounded battery 50 in the line finder, front contact and left hand armature of relay 2, upper and lower left hand contacts of sequence switch cam 5, front contact and left hand armature of relay 9, front contact and leftarmature of relay 19, back contact and left hand armature of relay 21, parallel resistances 60, conductor 29, through llitlitllrllltilt.

the brush and contact of the line finder switch, through the back contact and outer left hand armature of deenergized relay 16, through the winding of message register magnet 18, to ground on the front contact and left hand armature of relay 17. The message register magnet operates to actuate the message register 55 associated with the relay. When relay 19 operates it locks in a circuit from grounded` battery in the line inder switch through the front contact and left hand armature o1l relay 2, upper and lower left hand contacts of sequence switch cam 5, front contact and left hand armature of relay 9, through the winding of relay 19, back contact and lett hand armature of relay 22 to ground through the front contact and inner right hand armature of relay 19. After a short interval of time, the lower contact 38 of interrupter 28 is closed. A circuit is then completed for energizing relay 21. This circuit may be traced from grounded battery in the line linder circuit through the front contact and left hand armature of relay 19, as described above, winding of relay 21, to ground through the lower closed contact of interrupter 28. Relay 21 operates to complete a locking circuit from grounded battery 50 in the line finder switch over the circuit described above, through the lefthand armature and Jfront contact of relay 19, through the winding of relay 21 and then to ground through the front contact and right hand armature of relay 21. l/Vhen relay 21 operates the circuit for the message register magnet 18 is opened at the back contact of relay 21, deenergizing magnet 18 and permitting the stepping pawl ot' the message register to release and prepare to actuate the message register upon the next energization of the message register magnet. Relay 21 also completes a circuit for energizing the timing relay 43. This circuit may be traced from grounded battery 50 in the line finder switchv as far as the front contact and left hand armature of relay 19 as described above and thence to ground through the front contact and left hand armature of relay 21 and both windings of relay 43 in series. Due to the inclusion of its high resistance winding in this circuit, relay 43 does not receive sufficient current to operate.

lt should be noted that when relay 19 operates, a circuit is also completed for assuring the operation of the message register in the event of the calling subscriber disconnecting at this time. Upon such an occurrence, the circuit for relay 1 is opened at the calling subscribers station. Relay 1 releases and in turn releases relay 2 which disconnects at its left hand armature the regular battery source for energizing the message register magnet 18. However, since relay 19 is operated, grounded battery will be provided for operating the message register in a circuit from grounded battery on the outer right armature and front Contact of relay 19, outer right armature and back contact of relay 21, the front contact of relay 19, the left hand armature and back contact o1" relay 21 to ground through the message register magnet 18. Relay 19 remains locked in a circuit from grounded battery and its outer right hand armature the outer` right armature and back contact of relay 21, winding of relay 19, the left hand armature and back Contact ot relay 22 to ground at the inner right hand armature and front contact of relay 19. lith relay 19 operated in this circuit a circuit is prepared for operating relay 21. Zhen contact 37 of interrupter 28 is opened, and contact 38 of the interruptor has closed, a circuit may be traced from grounded battery, outer right hand armature and front contact of relay 19, the back Contact and outer right hand armature of relay 21, the lett hand armature and front contact of relay 19, to ground through the winding of relay 21 and contact 38 of interrupter 28. Relay 21 operates and at its outer right hand armature disconnects battery on the outer right hand armature oi. relay 19 from the circuits of relays 19 and 21 which thereupon release.

Then relay 21 is operated on the closure `of contact 38 a circuit is prepared for starting the timing circuit. At iixed intervals of time, depending upon the speed of interrupter 26, an obvious circuit is completed for energizing relay 25. Tt should be noted that a clocl; circuit could be used in place of the interrupter to intermittently operate relay 25. Relay 25, energized, completes a circuit through the stepping winding 36 oli timing relay 43 which may be traced from grounded battery 50 in the line iinder switch, lett hand armature and front contact of relay 2, upper and lower lett hand contacts of sequence switch cam 5, left hand armature and front contact of relay 9, lett hand armature and front contact ot' relay 19, lett hand armature and front contact of relay 21, through the upper winding 36 of relay 43, the outer right hand armature and baclr contact ot' relay 22, the front contact and armature ot relay 25, the front contact of polarized relay 6 to ground on sequence switch cam 13. This circuit shunts the lower winding of relay 43 and permits sufficientcurrent to flow through the stepping winding to cause the relay to attract both its armatures. The upper armature causes the stepping pawl 44 to advance the ratchet wheel 34, one step. The lower armature causes the holding pawl 45 to be positioned beneath a tooth of the ratchet wheel to prevent the premature return of the ratchet wheel until both windings of timing relay 43 are deenergized. After a fixed interval of time the contact of interrupter 26 opens, permitting relay 25 to deenergize. The deenergization of relay 25 opens the circuit through the stepping winding ot relay 43 permitting the stepping pawl 44 to tall back into position below the next tooth oit the ratchet wheel, and causing current to again flow through both windings ot timing relay 43 to hold the holding pawl 45 in its operated position.

After the passing of a lixed interval of time, the contact oit' interrupter 26 again closes and energizes relay 25, which in turn energizes the stepping winding ot relay 43 to again step the ratchet wheel one step. After a predetermined number of successive energizations ot the stepping winding ot relay 43, the knob 31 on the ratchet wheel 34 is positioned under spring contact 32 to close contact 33 to ground. A circuit is then completed for energizing relay 22 from the grounded battery, winding of relay 22, contact 33, spring 32 to ground. Relay 22 opens at its lett hand armature the circuit of relay 19. Relay 19 releases and opens at its left hand armature the circuit through relay 21 and both windings o'tl relay 43. Both windings of relay 43 being deenergized, the holding pawl is released and the ratchet wheel is returned to normal by means ot a spring in a manner well known in the art. The circuit through relay 22 to ground, through spring 32 and contact 33 is opened when the ratchet wheel returns to normal and relay 22 releases. fr circuit is then prepared for again operating relay 19, as soon as its locking circuit is opened at the contacts of relay 22 which is controlled by relay 25 operated under the control of interrupter 26.

Upon the next closure of the upper contact 37 of interrupter 2S, relay 19 will be energized and will operate to complete a circuit for operating the message register magnet 1S, as'previously described. r1`he register control circuit repeats its operation and again positions the knob 31 of thc ratchet wheel to close contact to spring 32 after a fixed period of time measured by the successive closures or' interrupter contact 26. 1t will be noted that the register control circuit may be arranged to periodically operate the message register magnet at any fixed interval of time desired, depend ing upon the number of closures of interrupter contact 26 necessary to cause relay 43 to position the knob of the ratchet wheel 31 under spring 32 or the length of the intervals of time between the closures ont interrupter contact 26.

1f, during the time the talking circuit is established the called party should hang up his receiver, the timing relay 43 will hold the ratchet wheel 34, in a fixed position and prevent the counting ot time while the called party is disconnected. This will be more readily understood from the following description.

hen the called party disconnects, the reverse current circuit through the polarized relay 6 is disconnected at the incoming selector switch in a manner well understood in the art. Polarized relay 6 immediately becomes deenergized and at its front contact and armature opens the circuit for energizing the stepping winding of relay 43. lVhile the polarized relay is deenergized, the circuit for the stepping winding of relay 43 cannot be completed so that the ratchet wheel will not move out of the position into which it has been advanced. Relay 43 remains energized through both windings to retain the ratchet wheel in the position to which it has advanced before the called subscriber disconnected in the previously traced circuit. 1t is to be noted therefore that while the calling subscriber is connected to the line, the disconnection of the called subscriber will not cause the return of the register control circuit to normal. 1f the called subscriber should again pick up his receiver, the stepping relay will assume stepping the ratchet wheel from the position to which the wheel had been advanced and held.

When the calling' subscriber disconnects, the circuit for energizing relay 1 is opened. Relay 1 releases, and in turn releases relay 2. Relay 2 at its right hand armature completes a circuit for relay 27, through the back contact and right hand armature of relay 2, to ground on sequence switch cam 51. Relay 2 also opens the circuit for energizing the rela-ys in the control circuit at its lett hand armature and front Contact. 1When this circuit is opened, both windings ot relay 43 become deenergized, causing the ratchet wheel 34 to return to normal. Relay 27 energized, completes a circuit for moving district selector sequence switch 100 out of position 11 into position 17 in a. circuit which may be traced from grounded battery winding of sequence switch magnet 100, contacts of sequence switch cam 31, front contact and left hand armature oit relay 27, to ground on the ott-normal contact of the line linder switch. lVhen sequence switch 100 moves out of position 16%, the circuit for relay 9 is opened at the upper lett hand Contact of sequence switch cam 14. 1t should be noted that when sequence switch 100 moved out of position 12, relay 7 was deenergized. Also when the calling subscriber disconnected, thereby deenergizing relay 2, relay 4 released, in turn releasing` relay 17. The district selector sequence switch 100 is caused to return to normal from position 17 by means not disclosed in this drawing but shown and described in the above identified patent to Stearn &

Scudder. When sequence switch 100 returns to normal, the circuit for relay 27 is opened at sequence switch cam 5l. It will be noted that all relays and apparatus involved in this invention have now been returned to normal. The district selector and line iinder switch circuits are returned to their normal positions in a manner described and disclosed in the foregoing references.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a telephone exchange system, a calling subscribers line, a called subscribers line, means for interconnecting said lines, a toll device associated with said calling line, means to operate said toll device upon the response of the called subscriber, means to operate said toll device intermittently thereafter, means under the control of said called subscriber to suspend said intermittent operation of said toll device, and means under the control of said called subscriber to resume the intermittent operation of said toll device.

2. In a telephone exchange system, a calling subseribers line, a called subscribers line, means for interconnecting said lines, a toll device associated with said calling line, means to operate said toll device upon the response ot the called subscriber, a time measuring device, means under the control of the called subscriber to suspend and resume the intermi-ttent operation ot said time measuring device, and means to operate said toll device under the control of said time measuring device.

3. In a telephone exchange system, a calling subscribers line, a called subscribers line, a pair or' counting relays, means under the control of the called subscriber to successively energize and lock said relays, a progressively operable time measuring device, a relay, a circuit for said relay controlled by said time measuring device and completed after a predetermined interval of time has elapsed, and means operable upon the energization oit said relay to release said counting relays and to restore said time measuring device to normal position, said time measuring device operating through a plurality of cycles under the control of said first-named means.

l. In a-telephone exchange system, a calling line, a message register magnet associated with said calling line to` actuate a message register, a called line, automatic switches for establishing a connection betweenl said lines, a time registering device, a polarized relay operative upon the response of the called party, a control relay, means for operating the message register magnet under the control ot said relay, a second control relay, means: for operating said second control relay under the control of said lirst control relay, means to deenergize the message register magnet under the control of said second control relay, and means to start the operation of the time registering device under the control of said second control relay.

5. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a message register associated with said calling line, a called line, means for establishing a talking' connection between said lines, a polarized relay operative upon the establishment of said talking connection, a time registering device, means responsive to the operated condition of said polarized relay to control the operation ot' said time registering device, said time registering device comprising a train of relays, a ratchet wheel mechanism, electrically controlled means for progressively advancing the ratchet wheel step-by-stepy at fixed intervals in response to the operated conditi-on ot said polarized relay, electrically controlled means for holding the ratchet wheel in the position to which it had advanced upon the deenergization of said polarized relay, means for resuming the advance or' said ratchet upon the reenergization of the polarized relay, and means to ret-urn said time registering device to normal after a fixed period of time has been accounted for by the time registering device. 6. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a message register associated with said calling line, a called line, means for establishing a talking connection between said lines, a polarized relay operative upon the establishment of said talking connection, a time registering device, means responsive to the operated condition of said polarized relay to control the operation ot' said time registering device, said time registering device comprising a train of relays, a ratchet wheel mechanism, electrically controlled means for advancing the ratchet wheel step-by-step at fixed intervals in response to the operated condition of said polarized relay, electrically controlled means for holding the ratchet wheel in the position to which it had advanced upon the deenergization of said polarized relay, means to resume the advance or' the ratchet wheels upon the reenergization of said polarized relay, and means to return the time registering device to normal when the calling subscriber disconnects.

7. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a message register associated with said calling line, a called line, means for establishing a talking connection between said lines, means operative upon the response of the called party to actuate the message register, a time registering device comprising a train of relays, a stepping magnet, a ratchet wheel mechanism actuated by said stepping magnet, electrically controlled means for advancing the ratchet wheel from its normal position, electrically controlled means for holding the ratchet Wheel in an olf normal position, means to return the ratchet wheel to its normal position when the ratchet wheel advances to a predetermined position, and means to intermittently operate said message register under the conti'ol of said time measuring device.

8. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a called line, automatic switches for establishing a connection between said lines, a call registering device associated with said line said device comprising a message registeu and means for actuating said message register upon the completion of the talking connection, a timing mechanism set in motion when said message register is actua-ted, means for controlling the operation of said timing mechanism for producing an additional actuation of the message register after a fixed amount of time has been accounted for by the timing mechanism, said last mentioned means comprising means to actuate the timing mechanism to count time while the talking connection is established, means to suspend the operation of the timing mechanism when the called subscriber abandons the connection, and means to resume the operation of the timing mechanism to count time when the called subscriber again establishes the connection.

9. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a called line, means for establishing a talking connection between said lines, a time registering device, means operative upon the response of the called party for progressively advancing said time registering device, means for suspending the actuation of the time registering device when the called partly abandons the connection, and means for resuming the actuation of the time registering device if the called party reestablishes the connection.

10. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a called line, a message register magnet associated with said calling line, means for establishing a talking connection between said lines, a time registering device, a relay operative upon the response of the called party to energize said message register magnet, means operative thereafter to actuate said time registering device, means to suspend the actuation of the time registering device When the called party abandons the connection, and means for resuming the actuation of the time registering device if the called party reestablishes the talking connection.

1l. In a telephone exchange system, a calling line, a message register associated with said calling line, a called line, automatic switches for establishing a connection between said lines, a time registering device, means for actuating said message register upon the response of the called party, means to periodically operate said message register during a talking connection, means for operating said time registering device to control the periodic operation of said message register, said last mentioned means comprising means to start the operation of said time registering device, means to suspend the actuation of said time registering device when the called party abandons the connection, and means to resume the actuation of said time registering device if the called party reestablishes the connection.

l2. A telephone system comprising a calling subscribers line, a called subscribers line, a link circuit to connect the lines, a time measuring device for the calling line, actuating mechanism set in operation, in response to the closure of the called line, to progressively advance said device and a relay controlled over the called line to suspend the operation of the actuating mechanism when the called line is opened and to resume the operation thereof when the called line is again closed.

13. In a telephone system having a calling subscribers line and a called subscribers line connected by a link circuit, the method of operating a call measuring device associated with the calling line which consists of operating said call measuring device upon the response of the called subscriber, operating said call measuring device intermittently thereafter at timed intervals, suspending the measurement of a time interval under the control of said called subscriber and resuming the measurement of a suspended time interval under the control of said called subscriber.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 31st day of August A. D.,

LEWIS H. JOHNSON. 

